Vernon Ernest Wilen

Vernon Ernest Wilen, 67, of Lehr, ND, died Sunday, August 24 2014 under hospice care surrounded by family.

Vernon was born September 17, 1946, to Ernest and Mamie (Bakkila) Wilen in Jamestown, ND. He was raised on the farm near Fredonia, ND. He attended a few elementary years of rural school and then went on to Gackle Public School, graduating in 1964. He served in the United States National Guard from September 13, 1965 to April 13, 1973 and was honorably discharged with the rank of SP-5.

In 1968 Vernon moved to Poughquag, NY and became the herdsman in charge of 800 brood cows at J.C. Penney's Emmaddine Farms at Poughquag, NY.
He and Linda Hentz were united in marriage on September 13, 1969 at Poughquag, NY.
They returned to ND in the spring of 1970 and later moved to the family farm north of Lehr and have resided ever since. They raised 4 daughters on the family farm. He also took on a job at Bobcat in Gwinner, ND in 1997, where he worked for 10 years while continuing farming.

Vernon had a deep love and passion for raising cattle. Over the years he raised many champion club calves and champion bulls. He also loved to hunt the hills of his family farm with his son- in-laws, daughters and grandsons.

He is survived by his wife Linda, Lehr, ND; 4 daughters, Nicole (Robert) Sylskar, Mayville, ND; Tanya (Jeremy) Walth, Gwinner, ND; Yvette (Dale) Patrick, Jamestown, ND; Megan (Jeremy) Bauer, Mayville, ND; 7 grandchildren, Aaron and Emily Roehrich, Brady, Paige and Lily Walth, Kadance Patrick, and Macy Bauer; 2 brothers Lyle (June) Wilen , Bismarck, ND; Todd (Ingrid) Wilen, Fredonia, ND; 2 sisters, Margaret (John) Stoltz, Leal, ND; Marcella Ruff, Bismarck, ND and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and 1 brother, Loren.

Visitation: Friday 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM @ Haut Funeral Home
Jamestown, ND

Prayer Service: Friday August 29, 2014 at 7:30 PM Haut Funeral Home Jamestown, ND

Funeral Service: Saturday August 30, 2014 at 10:30 AM at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church in rural Gackle, ND

Burial: Following the Funeral Service at the Wilen Ranch